STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES-new

1 STANDARD OPERATING procedures . EDUCATION CONTENT AREA. Table of Contents I. Educational Program Pages A. Educational Program Overview 5. B. Mission Statement 5. C. Philosophy 6, 7. D. Educational Programs 8. E. Educational Job Descriptions Insert F. Education Content Area Plan Insert G. General Timeline 9. H. Education Advisory Committee 10. II. Curriculum A. Thematic Approach 11. B. Thematic Guide 12. C. Thematic Units 13. D. How to Use the Thematic Guide 14. E. Language Enrichment Activities Program (LEAP) 15. III. Assessment A. Learning Accomplishment Profile (LAP-3) 16. B. Learning Accomplishment Profile (LAP-D Screen) 17. C. LAP Guidelines 18. IV. Early Childhood Educational Principles A.

2 Appropriate Practices 19. B. Multicultural Principles 20. C. The Value of Play 21. D. Behavioral Guidance 22. E. Team Teaching 23. F. Code of Ethics for Early Childhood Educators Insert G. End of Year Celebrations 24. 1. Pages V. Program Quality Assurance A. Federal, State & Local standards a. Revised Performance standards Inserts b. Minimum standards /Texas Department of Human Services Inserts c. Accreditation standards (NAEYC) Inserts VI. Policies & procedures a. Basic Daily Classroom Schedule 26. b. Room Arrangement 27. c. Classroom Environment Checklist Insert d. Labeling e. Learning Centers 28-30. f. Additional Indoor Space 31. g. Daily Routines 32-34.

3 H. Daily Examination of Children Procedure 35. i. Transitions 41. j. Rest Room Procedure 37. k. Meal Time Procedure 38. i. Toothbrush Procedure 39. j. Outdoor Procedure 40. k. Teaching Files 41. l Transfer of Children 42. m. Referral Form Insert n. Work Sheet for Challenging Children Insert o. Kiddie Karousel 43. p. Center Accident Report 44. q. Access to Children's Records 45. VII. Emergency procedures a. Medical Emergency procedures 46-48. b. Emergency Evacuation procedures 49. c. Fire Drill procedures 50. e. Tornado Drill procedures 51. f. Inclement Weather procedures 52. 2. Pages VIII. Additional Documentation and Forms a. Lesson Plan 53. c. Home Visit 54-55.

4 D. Parent Teacher Conferences 56-57. e. Transition Folders 58. f. Non Federal Contribution-Gift Acknowledgement 59. g. Field Trip Authorization Form 60. h. Field Trip Release Form 61. i. Completing the HSGD Database Authorization Form 62. j. Field Trip Evaluation Form 63. k. Roll Book 64. l. Classroom Daily Attendance 65. m. Daily Meal Count and Attendance Record 66. n. Sign-In/Sign-Out Form 67. o. Parent Contact Documentation Form 68. p. Parent Educational Handbook 69. IX. Training for Parents 70. A. Staff B. Parents 3. HEAD START of Greater Dallas Inc. STANDARD OPERATING procedures . EDUCATION CONTENT AREA. REVISED SUMMER 2005. 4. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. Educational Program Overview HEAD START of Greater Inc.

5 Provides young children from birth through preschool age from low- income families with free, high quality child development services. Head Start children explore and learn in a healthy, nurturing environment, while building self-confidence and social skills. Also, they receive complete medical and dental services. Children with special needs are welcomed into the program and receive individual attention from Special Services staff. Children leave Head Start with a strong foundation for successful learning in school. Mission Statement HEAD START of Greater Dallas provides children with the foundation of skills and knowledge they need to be successful in school and life and fosters self-reliant families and communities.

6 5. HEAD START of Greater Dallas' Educational Philosophy HEAD START of Greater Dallas adheres to the philosophy that parents are the prime educators of their children. The Educational Program provides parents with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of child growth and development, an opportunity to learn additional parenting skills, and, also an opportunity to learn how to work more effectively with their own children. Head Start works to enrich children with a learning environment and varied experiences appropriate to their age, stage of development and cultural background, which will help them to develop socially, intellectually, physically and emotionally.

7 Before a teacher can guide the daily activities of a Head Start classroom, he or she must clearly understand the philosophy of the program. Since 1965, Head Start has provided early childhood education opportunities for zero to five year old children whose families are economically disadvantaged. Head Start Program Goals state that: A. The Head Start Program is based on the premise that all children share certain educational needs, and that children of low-income families, in particular can benefit from a comprehensive developmental program to meet those needs. The Head Start Program approach is based on the philosophy that: 1. A child can benefit most from a comprehensive, interdisciplinary program to foster development and remedy problems as expressed in a broad range of services.

8 2. The child's entire family, as well as the community, must be involved. 6. The program should maximize the strengths and unique experiences of each child. The family, which is perceived as the principle influence on the child's development, must be a direct participant in the program. Local communities are allowed latitude in developing creative program designs so long as the basic goals, objectives and standards of a comprehensive program are adhered to. B. The overall goal of the Head Start Program is to bring about a greater degree of social and intellectual competence in children of low-income families. By social competence, we mean the child's effectiveness in dealing with both his/or her present environment and later responsibilities in school life.

9 Social competence takes into account the interrelatedness of cognitive and intellectual development, physical and mental health, nutritional needs and other factors that enable a developmental approach to helping children achieve social and intellectual competence. To the accomplishment of this goal, Head Start objectives and performance standards provide for: 1. The improvement of the child's health and physical abilities, including appropriate steps to correct present physical and mental problems and to enhance every child's access to an adequate diet, and the improvement of the family's attitude toward future health care and physical abilities. 2. The encouragement of self-confidence, spontaneity, curiosity and moreover, self-discipline will assist in the development of the child's social and emotional health.

10 7. Educational Programs HEAD START of Greater Dallas offers two types of educational programs for young children: I. Early Head Start A. The Early Head Start program provides comprehensive services to pregnant women, infants, and children under age three. B. Individualized services for each child ensure a healthy and successful start in life. C. Pregnant women receive medical and other support services during their pregnancy and after the baby arrive. D. Early Head Start staff 1. Program Director 2. Education Coordinators (two). 3. Early Head Start Teachers 4. Family Advocates 5. Pediatric nurse 6. Disabilities and Mental Health Specialists 7. Other support staff II.